Device for creating an angular biasing force

ABSTRACT

A device for creating an angular biasing force for the roller tube of a security shade, which roller tube is mounted to a fixed structure of a vehicle. The device comprises an element attached to the fixed structure of the vehicle and a plurality of force units, each including a torsion spring exerting a biasing force between the structure and the roller tube, wherein the torsion springs each have a first inner end associated with the fixed structure and a second outer end associated with the roller tube so the torsion biasing force of each spring is in a direction from the fixed structure to the roller tube. The total angular force of the device is the sum of the biasing forces of all of the torsion spring force units when the units are connected in parallel. When connected in series, the magnitude of angular rotation is the sum of the angle of rotation of all units.

The present invention relates to a device for creating an angularbiasing force and especially such a device for use with a security shadecovering the cargo area of a motor vehicle to prevent viewing into thecargo area.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

In many styles of motor vehicles, a rear compartment or cargo area isprovided for storing personal items. To discourage viewing of the cargoarea, motor vehicle manufacturers typically provide a retractablesecurity shade or flexible panel that can be extended to cover the cargoarea and prevent anyone outside the vehicle from readily viewing storedarticles. The device for connecting the roller tube of the securityshade onto the transversely spaced sides of the cargo area routinelyinclude a mechanism to rotationally bias the roller tube at each end sothe shade tends to be in the retracted stored condition. These devicesat each end of the shade often include a torsion spring for biasing theroller tube in the rotational direction for storing the shade. Suchdevices are shown in Wieczorek U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,052 and Price U.S.Pat. No. 5,934,354. These two patents are incorporated by reference asbackground information and showing the type of mechanism to which thepresent invention is directed.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The normal shade retraction devices or mechanisms used in the automobileindustry employ a single torsion spring at each end to exert theretraction biasing force on the roller tube supporting the securityshade. Consequently, a different device with a different coefficient ofrotational force is required for each of the various security shadeinstallations. A different torsion spring is required to provide adifferent biasing force in the rotational direction. This situationnecessitated engineering different torsional spring designs andmodification of the volume or cavity used to mount the different sizedtorsion springs. Furthermore, the magnitude of angular rotation is alsofixed at a given angle by the construction of the torsion spring at eachend of the shade. Thus, each torsion spring was designed for aparticular motor vehicle and the surrounding mechanism for mounting thesecurity shade was custom designed for each installation. This presentssubstantial engineering costs and a need for a large inventory ofdifferent torsion spring designs and different housings for devicesusing the different sized torsion springs. The custom designed torsionspring requirement also impacts the aftermarket. For instance, if asecurity shade is to be mounted in a particular motor vehicle, theaftermarket must provide a full host of different spring designs. Suchlack of uniformity complicated the aftermarket and also increased theOEM cost and the device inventory requirements. As can be appreciated,there is a need for solving the problems associated with the diverseneeds of devices to create a rotational force and angular movement toretract a security shade of the type now becoming quite popular. Theprior art units increased the size of the housing at each end of theshade.

THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for creating an angularbiasing force overcoming the problems associated with prior torsionspring mechanisms used in the automobile industry for retractingsecurity shades. In accordance with the invention, a plurality of forceunits each involving a separate torsion spring are combined to adjustthe total angular biasing force and/or the amount of rotation of adevice of the type used in creating a biasing force for a securityshade.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an improveddevice for creating an angular biasing force for a roller tube of asecurity shade where the roller tube is a standard member rotatablymounted in a fixed inside structure of a motor vehicle. In accordancewith the invention, the device at each end of the shade includes anelement attached to the fixed side structure of a vehicle and aplurality of force units each including a torsion spring exert a biasingforce between the fixed structure of the vehicle and the roller tube ofthe security shade. Each of the torsion springs of the spaced deviceshas a first inner end associated with the fixed vehicle structure and asecond outer end associated with the roller tube so the torsion biasingforce of the spring is in a direction from the fixed structure to theroller tube. When the springs are mounted in parallel, the total angularforce of the device is the sum of the biasing forces of all the torsionspring force units. In the preferred embodiment, the torsion springs areconnected from the first end to the second end in series. In thismanner, the amount of rotation available during extension of the shadeis adjusted by the number of series springs. Both concepts provide abiasing force equal to the force of a plurality of torsion springs.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, a selected numberof torsion spring force units are used to adjust either the totalangular biasing force or the amount of rotation available. Consequently,the biasing force or angular rotation of the device can be adjusted byselecting the number of torsion spring force units. There is no need toprovide springs having different force coefficients, different amount ofrotation and different dimensions for each security shade installation.To increase force, the springs are connected in parallel. To increasethe angle of rotation, the springs are connected in series. This is thepreferred design.

When the force units involve torsion springs connected in parallel, theroller tube has an end housing with an inner cylindrical surface andeach of the torsion spring force units has a support housing or springreceptacle with an outer cylindrical surface slidable in the innercylindrical surface of the end housing for the roller tube. A fasteneris used to selectively attach the force units to the end housing. Thetotal force is thereby easily adjusted by adding or subtracting to thenumber of force units. When the torsion spring force units are connectedin series, the roller tube still has the same end housing with an innercylindrical surface and each of the torsion spring force units still hasa support housing or spring receptacle with an outer cylindrical surfaceslidable in the inner cylindrical surface of the end housing of theroller tube. However, when the torsion units are connected in series, afastener unit is attached to the last of the force units in the seriesof force units to connect the last unit with the end housing of theroller tube by the fastener unit. In this embodiment of the invention,the total angular rotation is a summation of the rotational travel ofthe plurality of torsion spring force units used in the device.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a devicefor creating an angular force, which device utilizes a plurality offorce units based upon torsional springs where the number of units canbe varied to change the angular rotation and/or the angular biasingforce.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a devicefor creating angular force, as defined above, which device involves theplurality of torsion springs connected in series or in parallel to addthe torsional coefficient of force of the springs to obtain a totalangular biasing force or to add the rotational displacement.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a device forcreating an adjustable biasing force or rotation, as defined above,which device can be used for retracting a security shade for the cargocompartment of a motor vehicle.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of adevice for creating an angular force, as defined above, which deviceutilizes a series of force units based upon torsional springs whereinthe number of torsional units can be changed to adjust the total angularrotation wherein the force units are easy to manufacture and duplicativein design.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing description taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the first embodiment of the inventionwherein the force units are connected in parallel;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along line2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating a change in the numberof force units;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along line3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded pictorial view illustrating the mounting of asingle force unit onto a fixed structure as the initial step inconstructing the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of the second embodiment of the presentinvention wherein the force units are connected in series;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.5;

FIG. 6A is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the number of force unitschanged in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along line7-7 of FIG. 6; and,

FIG. 8 is an exploded view illustrating the mounting of the first forceunit in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5-7.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIGS. 1-4, device A is constructed in accordance with the presentinvention for creating rotational biasing between fixed structure B,which is in practice an automobile sidewall of a cargo area and a rollertube C of a security shade used to cover the cargo area. Device A isused to create a rotational biasing force to wind a security shade ontoroller tube C as the tube is rotated counterclockwise by using paralleltorsion springs, as shown in FIG. 3. The center, axially extending fixedmember of device A is shaft 10 having a transverse slot 12 with an openend 12 a and a closed end 12 b. Opening 14 in fixed side mountingstructure B receives the end of shaft 12 which is secured with respectto structure B by an appropriate set screw 16. Onto shaft 12 is mounteda plurality of force units 20, 22, 24 and 26, each of which issubstantially identical and the number in device A can be increased ordecreased to change the biasing force between fixed structure B androller tube C. Of course, another device A is located on the oppositeside of the cargo area so roller tube C extends across the cargo areaand is biased by two devices A, with one device on opposite ends ofroller tube C. The actual security shade wrapped on the roller tube is acommon component and is not illustrated. Since each force unit 20, 22, 4and 26 is the same, only unit 20 will be described and this descriptionwill apply equally to the other units. The number for parts of the unitsare the same. Support cup 30 has a forwardly facing counter bore 32 anda rearwardly extending boss 34. These cylindrical components match eachother so that boss 34 fits into bore 32 as best shown in FIG. 2 foraligning a number of force units on shaft 10 and inside tube C.Generally flat surface 40 defines a cavity intersecting slot 42, whichslot extends from the boss end of cup 30 toward its counter bore end.Slot 42 has access end 42 a. In this manner, slot 42 receives one end oftorsion spring 50 so the torsion spring is inserted into spring cavity36 of cup or housing 30. Torsion spring 50 is formed from a flat springsteel metal with a first end 52 formed into a straight portion forinsertion into slot 12 of shaft 10 from end 12 a. Before that assemblytakes place, second end 54 of spring 50 having a tab 56 with a radiallyextending straight portion 56 a is fitting into slot 42. A bent retainer56 b of tab 56 fits into the outer recess cavity caused by flat surface40. Torsion spring 50 is first placed into the cavity 36 of cup orhousing 30 by attaching its second end 54 at tab 56 onto the springhousing, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Then, force unit 20 is mountedonto fixed shaft 10 by sliding straight end 52 onto slot 12 from end 12a. The plurality of force units are assembled in parallel by firstmounting torsion spring 50 into cup 30. Retainer 56 b has a width agenerally matching and slightly smaller than width b of flat surface 40.Thus, spring 50 is inserted into and retained on housing 30. Thereafter,the force unit is mounted in parallel on shaft 10 by inserting straightportion 52 in slot 12. Each end of tube C includes end housing portion60 with an inner cylindrical surface 66. Support cups 30 have outercylindrical surfaces 38 slightly less in diameter than surface 66 sounits 20, 22, 24 and 26 freely slide into housing portion 60.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first assembly step for the parallelspring embodiment involves placing the torsion spring 50 of first forceunit 20 into the cup or housing 30. Tab 56 slides through access end 42a of slot 42 until the tab is captured in flat portion 40 so torsionspring 50 has its second end 54 secured to housing 30. Then, force unit20 is slipped onto shaft 10 with flat first end 52 sliding into slot 12of the shaft. The fixed shaft protrudes outwardly through opening 39 ofhousing 30 for receiving next force unit 22 having its torsion spring 50already assembled into the next cup 30. Additional parallel force units24 and 26 are then assembled onto shaft 10. This is accomplished in thesame manner. With the four parallel force units in place, the units arethen slid into tube C and locked onto the tube by set screws 64 inthreaded openings 62. In FIG. 2, four force units are affixed to tube Cso that the total biasing force is the summation of the torsion forcesin the four separate units. In practice, each unit has the samecoefficient of torsion force. First end 52 of each spring in parallelforce units 20, 22, 24 and 26 is secured to fixed structure B by way ofslotted shaft 10. Second ends 54 of the torsion springs are connected toroller tube C by way of housing 30 and set screw 64. Opening 39 has adiameter greater than shaft 10 so that cup 30 can easily rotate on theshaft through the parallel configured torsion springs as shown in FIGS.1-4. The basic feature of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.2A where only three parallel force units 20, 22 and 24 are used to mounttube C onto fixed structure B. Thus, the torsion force on tube C isthree-fourths the amount of biasing force created by the structureillustrated in FIG. 2. By adding or subtracting parallel force unitsbased on torsion springs, the amount of biasing force can be adjustedeasily by merely changing the number of units at each end of tube C.Indeed, the number of parallel force units at either end of tube C couldbe different; however, this parallel spring device is not the preferredimplementation of the invention. By merely changing the number ofparallel force units, the biasing force on the tube is adjusted. If theangular rotation to unwind the shade is to be increased, the seriesspring version of the invention is used and will be described inconnection with FIGS. 5-8. Adjustment of force or amount of rotation isnot possible in prior units such as shown in Price U.S. Pat. No.5,934,354. The present invention, whether the parallel version or theseries version, requires no common housing for all springs but onlyseparate force units individually mounted and operated by the rollertube. Cup 30 is only a mounting member and not an enclosure or housing.

The preferred embodiment of the invention does not use the parallelconnected force units as shown in FIGS. 1-4. To the contrary, thepreferred implementation is device A′ shown in FIGS. 5-8 uses aplurality of series connected torsion springs. This concept allowsadjustment of the rotational angle during the unwinding of the shade.The actual torsion spring of device A′is essentially the same as thepreviously described torsion spring 50 used in the parallel springversion of the invention. In this second version, force units 100, 102and 104 are connected in series with a terminal connector unit 106connecting the stack of force units onto end housing 60. Since seriesconnected force units 100, 102 and 104 are structurally the same, onlyone of these units needs to be described. This description applies tothe other force units arranged in series with connector unit 106.Torsion spring 50 is used in series units 100, 102 and 104. The forceunits have a cup 110. This same cup is used for fastener or connectorunit 106. Cup 110 includes a counter bore 112 and bus 114 which fittogether for aligning the units about the same axis. Opening 116receives the nose 134 of an adjacent slotted shaft 132 after the variousunits have been assembled in series. Cup 110 has central cavity 118 forreceiving torsional springs 50 and an outer cylindrical surface 120.From one end of cup 30 there is a mounting shaft 130 having a slot 132and terminal small cylindrical nose 134. This nose fits into opening 116of the prior force unit. Nose 134 rotates in opening 116. As in thefirst embodiment, cup 110 has outer flat surface 124 with a radial slot126 having an access end 126 a so spring 50 can be assembled onto unit100 (102, 104) by tab 56 fitting into slot 126, as best illustrated inFIG. 8. After spring 50 is assembled onto housing 110 of unit 100, shaft130 is inserted into opening 140 of fixed structure B. As shown in FIGS.6 and 8, set screw 142 then locks the first cup 110 onto structure B.The structure of force unit 100 is shown in FIG. 8. This same structureis used for force units 102, 104 that are assembled in series as shownin FIG. 6. For simplicity and cost reduction connector unit 106 merelyemploys a spring cup 110 having a forwardly extending slot 130 with anose 134 extending into opening 116 of the bottom portion of force unit104. First end 52 of the three torsion springs are received in slot 132of the successive cups 110, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Thus, units 100,102 and 104 are connected in series to exert a summation of forcesbetween structure B and the empty cup 110 comprising the connector unit106. This cup is affixed to end housing 60 by set screw 64. Therotational angle is the sum of the angle of each spring unit. Outersurfaces 120 of units 100, 102, 104, and 106 are slidably receivedwithin cylindrical surface 66 of end housing 60 of roller tube C. Forceis transmitted from structure B by way of series connected tab 56 tofirst end 52 of the first torsion spring and then from that end to tab56 and then end 52 of the next torsion spring end of unit 102. Fromthere, force is exerted between tab 56 and end 52 of unit 104. Fromthere, force is exerted through connector unit 106 directly to rollertube C. Thus, the same spring receptacle or cup is used for all forcecreating units. At the last unit, for cost reasons, the same cupstructure is used to transmit force from end 52 of the last torsionspring directly to roller tube C. Other structures could be used for theterminal connector unit so long as the force units are connected inseries and have a total angular movement equaling the summation of thetorsion forces of the series connected force units.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-4 connects the torsionsprings in parallel. Preferred embodiments of the invention shown inFIGS. 5-8 use essentially the same type of structures, but are slightlymodified so that the housing of one unit is rotatable with respect tothe housing of the adjacent units. An advantage of the structure shownin FIGS. 5-8 is illustrated in FIG. 6A. To reduce the total angle, onlytwo series connected force units 100, 102 are used in device A′. Anynumber of series connected force units having the structure so fardescribed, can be connected in device A′ to provide a selectedrotational angle.

The first embodiment of the invention involves connecting torsionsprings in parallel. The second and preferred embodiment involvesconnecting the torsion springs in series. The number of springs in eachof these units can be varied so that a standard force unit ismanufactured and the amount of torsional force or angular rotation isadjusted by the number of force units assembled into the device forcreating the angular biasing force.

1. A device for creating an angular biasing force for the roller tube ofa security shade, which roller tube is mounted to a fixed structure of avehicle, said device comprising an element attached to said fixedstructure of the vehicle and a plurality of force units each including atorsion spring exerting a biasing force between said structure and saidroller tube, wherein said torsion springs each have a first inner endassociated with said fixed structure and a second outer end associatedwith said roller tube so the torsion biasing force of each spring is ina direction from said fixed structure to said roller tube.
 2. A deviceas defined in claim 1 wherein said torsion springs are connected fromsaid first end to said second end in series to increase the magnitude ofangular rotation.
 3. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said torsionsprings are connected from said first ends to said second ends inparallel to increase the angular force.
 4. A device as defined in claim3 wherein said biasing force is in a direction winding said shade onsaid roller.
 5. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said biasingforce is in a direction winding said shade on said roller.
 6. A deviceas defined in claim 1 wherein said biasing force is in a directionwinding said shade on said roller.
 7. A device as defined in claim 6wherein said device has a selected number of torsion spring force units.8. A device as defined in claim 5 wherein said device has a selectednumber of torsion spring force units.
 9. A device as defined in claim 4wherein said device has a selected number of torsion spring force units.10. A device as defined in claim 3 wherein said device has a selectednumber of torsion spring force units.
 11. A device as defined in claim 2wherein said device has a selected number of torsion spring force units.12. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said device has a selectednumber of torsion spring force units.
 13. A device as defined in claim10 wherein said roller tube has an end housing with an inner cylindricalsurface and each of said torsion spring force units have a supporthousing with an outer cylindrical surface slidable in said innercylindrical surface of said end housing and a fastener to selectivelyattach said force units to said end housing.
 14. A device as defined inclaim 4 wherein said roller tube has an end housing with an innercylindrical surface and each of said torsion spring force units have asupport housing with an outer cylindrical surface slidable in said innercylindrical surface of said end housing and a fastener to selectivelyattach said force units to said end housing.
 15. A device as defined inclaim 3 wherein said roller tube has an end housing with an innercylindrical surface and each of said torsion spring force units have asupport housing with an outer cylindrical surface slidable in said innercylindrical surface of said end housing and a fastener to selectivelyattach said force units to said end housing.
 16. A device as defined inclaim 1 wherein said roller tube has an end housing with an innercylindrical surface and each of said torsion spring force units have asupport housing with an outer cylindrical surface slidable in said innercylindrical surface of said end housing and a fastener to attach thelast of said force units to said end housing.
 17. A device as defined inclaim 5 wherein said roller tube has an end housing with an innercylindrical surface and each of said torsion spring force units have asupport housing with an outer cylindrical surface slidable in said innercylindrical surface of said end housing and a fastener to attach thelast of said force units to said end housing.
 18. A device as defined inclaim 2 wherein said roller tube has an end housing with an innercylindrical surface and each of said torsion spring force units have asupport housing with an outer cylindrical surface slidable in said innercylindrical surface of said end housing and a fastener to attach thelast of said force units to said end housing.
 19. A device for creatingan angular biasing force between a fixed structure and an elongatedmember mounted with respect to said structure for rotation about an axisgenerally perpendicular to said structure, said device comprising: aplurality of parallel connected torsion spring, each formed fromconvolutions of flat spring metal coiled concentrically around saidaxis, each of said torsion springs having a first end fixed to saidstructure and a second end connected to said member.
 20. A device asdefined in claim 19 wherein said torsion springs have essentially thesame torsion coefficient of elasticity.
 21. A device as defined in claim20 wherein said device has more than two torsion springs.
 22. A deviceas defined in claim 19 wherein said device has more than two torsionsprings.
 23. A device as defined in claim 22 wherein each of said coiledtorsion springs each comprises an outer housing with a radial cavity tocapture said second end and outer area attached to elongated member. 24.A device as defined in claim 21 wherein each of said coiled torsionsprings each comprises an outer housing with a radial cavity to capturesaid second end and outer area attached to elongated member.
 25. Adevice as defined in claim 20 wherein each of said coiled torsionsprings each comprises an outer housing with a radial cavity to capturesaid second end and outer area attached to elongated member.
 26. Adevice as defined in claim 19 wherein each of said coiled torsionsprings each comprises an outer housing with a radial cavity to capturesaid second end and outer area attached to elongated member.
 27. Adevice as defined in claim 26 including an elongated shaft fixed to saidstructure and extending along said axis and a slot in said shaft forcapturing said first ends of each of said torsion springs.
 28. A deviceas defined in claim 25 including an elongated shaft fixed to saidstructure and extending along said axis and a slot in said shaft forcapturing said first ends of each of said torsion springs.
 29. A deviceas defined in claim 24 including an elongated shaft fixed to saidstructure and extending along said axis and a slot in said shaft forcapturing said first ends of each of said torsion springs.
 30. A deviceas defined in claim 23 including an elongated shaft fixed to saidstructure and extending along said axis and a slot in said shaft forcapturing said first ends of each of said torsion springs.
 31. A deviceas defined in claim 4 including an elongated shaft fixed to saidstructure and extending along said axis and a slot in said shaft forcapturing said first ends of each of said torsion springs.
 32. A deviceas defined in claim 21 including an elongated shaft fixed to saidstructure and extending along said axis and a slot in said shaft forcapturing said first ends of each of said torsion springs.
 33. A deviceas defined in claim 20 including an elongated shaft fixed to saidstructure and extending along said axis and a slot in said shaft forcapturing said first ends of each of said torsion springs.
 34. A deviceas defined in claim 19 including an elongated shaft fixed to saidstructure and extending along said axis and a slot in said shaft forcapturing said first ends of each of said torsion springs.
 35. A deviceas defined in claim 34 wherein said elongated member is a roller tubefor a security shade and said biasing force is in a direction windingsaid shade on said roller.
 36. A device as defined in claim 31 whereinsaid elongated member is a roller tube for a security shade and saidbiasing force is in a direction winding said shade on said roller.
 37. Adevice as defined in claim 26 wherein said elongated member is a rollertube for a security shade and said biasing force is in a directionwinding said shade on said roller.
 38. A device as defined in claim 23wherein said elongated member is a roller tube for a security shade andsaid biasing force is in a direction winding said shade on said roller.39. A device as defined in claim 22 wherein said elongated member is aroller tube for a security shade and said biasing force is in adirection winding said shade on said roller.
 40. A device as defined inclaim 19 wherein said elongated member is a roller tube for a securityshade and said biasing force is in a direction winding said shade onsaid roller.
 41. A device as defined in claim 38 wherein said radialcavity includes a radial slot.
 42. A device as defined in claim 30wherein said radial cavity includes a radial slot.
 43. A device asdefined in claim 26 wherein said radial cavity includes a radial slot.44. A device as defined in claim 25 wherein said radial cavity includesa radial slot.
 45. A device as defined in claim, 24 wherein said radialcavity includes a radial slot.
 46. A device as defined in claim 23wherein said radial cavity includes a radial slot.
 47. A device forcreating an angular biasing force between a fixed structure and anelongated member mounted with respect to said fixed structure forrotation about an axis generally perpendicular to said structure, saiddevice comprising: a plurality of torsion springs concentric with saidaxis and connected in series from a first torsion spring to a lasttorsion spring, each of said torsion springs formed of flat spring metalcoiled concentrically around said axis with a first inner convolutionend and a second outer convolution end, a mounting cup for each of saidtorsion springs, each of said cups having a spring cavity defined by acylindrical wall concentric with said axis and a slotted shaft extendingfrom said cavity and concentric with said axis, said cylindrical wallhaving a contoured opening to capture said second end of one of saidtorsion springs, said slotted shaft adapted to capture the first end ofa next series spring, with said member only connected to said first endof said last torsion spring and said mounting cup of said first springconnected to said fixed structure.
 48. A device as defined in claim 47wherein said torsion springs have essentially the same torsioncoefficient of elasticity.
 49. A device as defined in claim 48 whereinsaid device has more than two torsion springs.
 50. A device as definedin claim 47 wherein said device has more than two torsion springs.
 51. Adevice as defined in claim 50 wherein said elongated member is a rollertube for a security shade and said biasing force is in a directionwinding said shade on said roller.
 52. A device as defined in claim 49wherein said elongated member is a roller tube for a security shade andsaid biasing force is in a direction winding said shade on said roller.53. A device as defined in claim 48 wherein said elongated member is aroller tube for a security shade and said biasing force is in adirection winding said shade on said roller.
 54. A device as defined inclaim 47 wherein said elongated member is a roller tube for a securityshade and said biasing force is in a direction winding said shade onsaid roller.
 55. A device as defined in claim 36 wherein said slottedshaft of said mounting cup of said first torsion spring is adapted to beattached to said fixed structure.
 56. A device as defined in claim 54wherein said slotted shaft of said mounting cup of said first torsionspring is adapted to be attached to said fixed structure.
 57. A deviceas defined in claim 53 wherein said slotted shaft of said mounting cupof said first torsion spring is adapted to be attached to said fixedstructure.
 58. A device as defined in claim 52 wherein said slottedshaft of said mounting cup of said first torsion spring is adapted to beattached to said fixed structure.
 59. A device as defined in claim 51wherein said slotted shaft of said mounting cup of said first torsionspring is adapted to be attached to said fixed structure.
 60. A deviceas defined in claim 50 wherein said slotted shaft of said mounting cupof said first torsion spring is adapted to be attached to said fixedstructure.
 61. A device as defined in claim 49 wherein said slottedshaft of said mounting cup of said first torsion spring is adapted to beattached to said fixed structure.
 62. A device as defined in claim 48wherein said slotted shaft of said mounting cup of said first torsionspring is adapted to be attached to said fixed structure.
 63. A deviceas defined in claim 47 wherein said slotted shaft of said mounting cupof said first torsion spring is adapted to be attached to said fixedstructure.
 64. A subassembly for a series torsion spring motor, saidsubassembly comprising a mounting cup having a spring cavity defined bya cylindrical wall and a slotted shaft extending from said cavity andconcentric with said wall, a torsion spring formed of flat spring metalwith an axis concentric to said shaft, a second outer convolution endconnected to said wall and a first inner convolution end adapted to beconnected to a slotted shaft of a mounting cup of an adjacent,concentric subassembly.
 65. A subassembly as defined in claim 64 whereinsaid second end of said torsion spring is releasably connected to saidwall of said mounting cup.
 66. A subassembly as defined in claim 65wherein said first end is releasably connectable to said slotted shaftof said adjacent subassembly.
 67. A subassembly as defined in claim 64wherein said first end is releasably connectable to said slotted shaftof said adjacent subassembly.
 68. A device for creating an angularbiasing force for a member, which member is mounted to a fixedstructure, said device comprising an element attached to said fixedstructure and a plurality of force units each including a torsion springexerting a biasing force between said structure and said member, whereinsaid torsion springs each have a first inner end associated with saidfixed structure and a second outer end associated with said member sothe torsion biasing force of each spring is in a direction from saidfixed structure to said member.
 69. A device as defined in claim 67wherein said torsion springs are connected from said first end to saidsecond end in series to increase the magnitude of angular rotation. 70.A device as defined in claim 67 wherein said torsion springs areconnected from said first ends to said second ends in parallel toincrease the angular force.
 71. A device as defined in claim 70 whereinsaid torsion springs have essentially the same torsion coefficient ofelasticity.
 72. A device as defined in claim 69 wherein said torsionsprings have essentially the same torsion coefficient of elasticity. 73.A device as defined in claim 68 wherein said torsion springs haveessentially the same torsion coefficient of elasticity.
 74. A device asdefined in claim 73 wherein said device has a selected number of torsionspring force units to adjust said total angular biasing force.
 75. Adevice as defined in claim 72 wherein said device has a selected numberof torsion spring force units to adjust said magnitude.
 76. A device asdefined in claim 71 wherein said device has a selected number of torsionspring force units to adjust said angular biasing force.
 77. A device asdefined in claim 70 wherein said device has a selected number of torsionspring force units to adjust said angular biasing force.
 78. A device asdefined in claim 69 wherein said device has a selected number of torsionspring force units to adjust said magnitude.
 79. A device as defined inclaim 68 wherein said device has a selected number of torsion springforce units.
 80. A device as defined in claim 77 wherein said member hasan end housing with an inner cylindrical surface and each of saidtorsion spring force units have a support housing with an outercylindrical surface slidable in said inner cylindrical surface of saidend housing and a fastener to selectively attach said force units tosaid end housing.
 81. A device as defined in claim 71 wherein saidmember has an end housing with an inner cylindrical surface and each ofsaid torsion spring force units have a support housing with an outercylindrical surface slidable in said inner cylindrical surface of saidend housing and a fastener to selectively attach said force units tosaid end housing.
 82. A device as defined in claim 70 wherein saidmember has an end housing with an inner cylindrical surface and each ofsaid torsion spring force units have a support housing with an outercylindrical surface slidable in said inner cylindrical surface of saidend housing and a fastener to selectively attach said force units tosaid end housing.
 83. A device as defined in claim 78 wherein saidmember has an end housing with an inner cylindrical surface and each ofsaid torsion spring force units have a support housing with an outercylindrical surface slidable in said inner cylindrical surface of saidend housing and a fastener to attach the last of said force units tosaid end housing.
 84. A device as defined in claim 72 wherein saidmember has an end housing with an inner cylindrical surface and each ofsaid torsion spring force units have a support housing with an outercylindrical surface slidable in said inner cylindrical surface of saidend housing and a fastener to attach the last of said force units tosaid end housing.
 85. A device as defined in claim 69 wherein saidmember has an end housing with an inner cylindrical surface and each ofsaid torsion spring force units have a support housing with an outercylindrical surface slidable in said inner cylindrical surface of saidend housing and a fastener to attach the last of said force units tosaid end housing.